University. A time, a space, a living

by United Blogs of Benetton on: Junio 3rd, 2010

The Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM) is the main institution of higher
education in my country. It is also the leading generator of scientific research
and the second largest producer of public theater. In 2007 UNESCO declaredCiudad Universitaria (such is the name of the UNAM
main campus) a World Heritage Site. In 2009 the UNAM won
the Prince of Asturias Prize for Communications and Humanities.

The Main Library

But beyond the big things (and I’m also speaking of open spaces and large
buildings) the Universidad is for me and for many students an accumulation of
little things. I’m pretty sure that any student can say the same about his own
university or college.Rectorate building

One of my favorite places in Ciudad Universitaria is the sculptural space, a place where theater students go to do vocal training practices because the acoustics of the site is very peculiar. The sculptural space is also a place to go at sunset when the temperature drops, you
can sit there with your friends and drink beer or play the guitar.

Espacio escultorico

Very near the rectorate building and the main library (know as Biblioteca Central)
is the green area called “the islands” which is always alive. In the islands there
are football games, people walking their dogs, medical students in white coats
going on bike and on weekends families go for a walk or skate.

And nearby there is the stadium, home of the Pumas, my favorite soccer team. In
the Olympic stadium had occurred some of the competitions of the l968
Olympics and from then it has hosted major sport events (and millions of
little personal moments).

Olimpic stadium

When you spend most of your time at school, suddenly you discover
the best places to eat quesadillas (in the psychology department) or where to
find the most abundant and cheap salads (in architecture). Soon you know you
can fill the idle hours between classes in a dance performance, cinema
projection, learning Swedish or Korean at language center or even taking salsa
lessons.

As stated in the Pumas supporters song: ¡Cómo no te voy a querer! (how could I not love you?).